Speech #1090098903

Mr. Chairman. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4437. the Border Protection. Antiterterrorism. and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. I am proud to be a new member of the Homeland Security Committee and appreciate this opportunity to work with Chairman KING on this legislation. Every weekend. when I go back home to Florida. I hear from constituents that our country is being overrun by illegal Immigrants. Today. we truly show our constituents that Congress is listening to them and that we mean business. For starters. the bill requires mandatory detention of illegal aliens. eliminating the Department of Homeland Securitys dangerous catchandrelease policy. Catch and release does nothing other than allow the Border Patrol to apprehend illegal immigrants then release them with nothing but a flimsy promise that they will return for a deportation hearing. Ha. ha. It does not happen. As Members may guess. 75 percent of them do not show up for their court date and are free to roam throughout our neighborhoods. That policy has existed for far too long. This bill requires that law enforcement hold illegal aliens until they are deported. I am also pleased that the chairman was able to include some language In the bill that authorizes Homeland Security to engage in competitive contracts with companies to help manage the transportation of illegal aliens. Allowing the Secretary to engage in these contracts will free up these resources and assist the department as it eliminates the harmful catchandrelease policy. Mr. Chairman. our Nations lawmakers did not craft our immigration laws as suggestions or reading material for insomniacs. Our laws were made to ensure proper. secure and legal entry into our country. This bill helps to accomplish exactly that. and I urge my colleagues to support it.